European plane maker Airbus has announced a plan to permit use of cellphones in their airplanes by 2006. Airbus planes are found in many different carriers fleets. While some will dread this development others will welcome it. As Airbus allows cellphone use and Boeing develops net access the competition for business travelers heats up still further.

How much premium are business travelers willing to pay for the ability to use their phone in flight? Significant for long flights and real convenience for shorter flights. The competition for the coveted business traveler gets even hotter. Productivity losses from increased security procedures and the accompanying longer lead times at airports could easily be offset by the development of in flight telecommunications and web access services.

Current problems such as multiple ground towers picking up in flight calls on fast moving planes are overcome by using a pico cell system that would create a calling cell for the plane and then utilize a satellite connection to connect callers to the ground.

Now we just need noise canceling cellphone headsets to keep people from shouting into their phones when they sit next to me.

[read]

Comments

[Dave Lakhani]

As a 200 day a year frequent flier, I think the real key for airlines is to stop using phone service and future web access as revenue centers and use them as inticements to keep seats full. As much as I would love to have wireless access on a plane, unless the trip was over four hours I wouldn't pay the suggested $20 connection fee unless it was urgent.

I look forward to the day that the airlines realize that they are in the business of promoting business rather than taking advantage of business travelers because the first airline to do that, and to facilitate business being done on their planes and in their airports will be overbooked all the time.

[Peter Davidson]

Dave, I totally agree with you. I should have been more clear. When I said business travelers would pay a premium I meant they would be more loyal and willing to pay a FEW dollars more in fare. They're not willing to pay extra add on fees and charges. The airlines should see telecommunications as essential to their offering not add ons.

I agree that the first airline to support biz people and not nickel and dime them will win big!

Thanks for your comment.